Who is the scapegoat in Animal Farm? This question is at the heart of George Orwell’s allegorical novel, which uses farm animals to symbolize the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. The scapegoat is a figure who is blamed for the group’s problems, often used to deflect attention from the real culprits. In Animal Farm, the scapegoat serves as a powerful tool to demonstrate the corruption and betrayal that can occur when power is concentrated in the hands of a few.
The novel begins with the animals’ rebellion against their oppressive human masters, led by the pigs, Napoleon and Snowball. The animals establish their own society, Animal Farm, with the motto “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” However, as time passes, the pigs gradually consolidate their power and begin to act more like the humans they once despised.
One of the first scapegoats in the story is Old Major, the old boar who inspired the animals to rise up against their human masters. After Old Major’s death, the pigs manipulate the other animals to believe that he was responsible for the farm’s problems, rather than acknowledging their own role in the decline of the community. This act of scapegoating serves to further entrench the pigs’ power and to maintain the illusion of unity among the animals.
Another significant scapegoat is Boxer, the loyal and hardworking cart horse. As the farm’s workload increases, Boxer is blamed for his slow pace and his inability to keep up with the other animals. When Boxer collapses from exhaustion, the pigs exploit his weakened state to manipulate the other animals into working even harder. Boxer’s sacrifice is used to reinforce the pigs’ control over the farm and to perpetuate the myth that the animals are all equal, despite the clear disparities in power.
The final scapegoat in Animal Farm is Benjamin, the wise and cautious donkey. Benjamin is constantly dismissed by the other animals as a cynic and a pessimist, but he is often proven to be right about the pigs’ true intentions. When the pigs’ corruption becomes too evident, Benjamin is blamed for predicting the farm’s downfall, rather than acknowledging the pigs’ role in the betrayal of the animals’ ideals.
In conclusion, the scapegoats in Animal Farm are used to illustrate the corrupting influence of power and the tendency of individuals to deflect blame onto others. By examining the characters of Old Major, Boxer, and Benjamin, Orwell highlights the dangers of blind loyalty and the importance of questioning authority. The scapegoats in Animal Farm serve as a cautionary tale, reminding readers that power can easily be exploited and that the pursuit of equality and justice must be vigilant and informed.
